We have been looking at buying a home for a while since our return from Australia, and so the hunting continues.  While clicking my way through quite a few pics, I saw this beauty in Devonport on the North Shore in Auckland.  It is sooo me.  The colour, the furniture, the kitchen, all of it.  It’s for sale if you like it and to view more images click here.  The current owner and renovater is an interior designer, so it’s no wonder the place rocks! It’s also been in a couple of home magazines, so enjoy.

Hidden Bed, a company in New Zealand has the license for this great bed that smoothly pulls down over your desk to accommodate that extra person, or it would be a handy option for a studio apartment or dorm room. I saw them at the mall and had a go at transforming it…..super light and easy to change, plus you can even leave your glass of water without a spill and your laptop open.  You could also use the desk as a play area….set up with the train-set in a childs room.

There is an option of king single or double and you also have five different finish options – from white to jarrah laminate, plus extra shelving.  The cost for a king single is NZ$4000.00 while the Double is NZ$4400.00; that includes mattress, installation and GST.  Take a look at their website right here.

This picture inspired my post this afternoon.  I stumbled into Bloesem kids and found delightful wallpaper on the back of the closet. Usually the very beautiful wallpapers cost loads, so this is a brilliant way to use a little bit and not go bankrupt.  Stores often have left over rolls or off-cuts and sell them cheaply, so it’s worth checking.   The wallpaper on the back of this Ikea shelf is by Boras Tapeter in Sweden, called Linne 3308.  Sim Wallcoverings in Auckland may stock it, or they could order it in for you. Go get your DIY gloves on and get papering – it makes such a difference to a dull area.

This would be a fun way to store books and soft toys in Miss 1′s room.  It’s made of powder-coated metal and is a weighty 22.5kg; stands 2.1m high and 1.5m wide by 20cm deep – so quite large.  The Tree Shelf designed by Shawn Soh is not for sale yet, but I am sure it won’t be long.  I could just picture a teepee right next to it!

via [Inhabitat]

Loving this chair – the wood really warms this up without it looking like a bargain store find.  The Magis Steelwood chair is made with a white steel frame and natural beech legs and seat, and comes in a few different variations. However, it costs loads – you can buy it from Nest in the UK for NZ$704 plus NZ$170 shipping.  Definitely not a bargain store find!

We have a great bed – the Anna by Ligne Roset (first image), but with all our moving around, it’s not really built for it all.  It’s heavy, heavy heavy!   I have found our next bed though, the Nook by Blu Dot is now available in Australia through Interstudio. I know they’re quite similar, but I love a padded rounded edge to a bed so I don’t bust my shins when stumbling around to get to the children at night.  It also means we may one day get a great looking, lighter bed to shift from place to place.

Glass is everywhere in my house.  I love it because it gives the illusion of space.  Cleaning it hasn’t been as bad as I thought, even with two kids.  The vinegar and water mix just sits in the cupboard under the bench with a cloth ready to go.  Though my sisters have said they wouldn’t do it after watching me shine mine after nearly every meal!  Each to their own…

After spying this coffee table, I want to replace ours; it’s not going to happen though as they are not available down-under, so just may have to dream about owning it.  The best thing about the Tetra by Della Robbia is the groovy colourful seating that comes with it.  When we all need to cram around and draw, glue and make cut-outs this would be perfect.  Also Miss 9mths old could walk around the ottoman rather that the table and not sweep everything off the table.  If you live in the US, you’re in luck, click here to find a store or stockist near you.

‘Chop Stick’ is a clothes hanger designed by Andreas Saxer.  Inspired by the traditional methods of Japanese wood joinery, and of course, chop sticks.  Only four wooden sticks are loosely joined with a sleek aluminum pole and apparently this loose system becomes very stable with heavy clothing.  I like the idea that you can move it around your home, and if you are a flatter, then it’s the easiest thing to move with you.

Can’t seem to find it anywhere to purchase, but if you are handy with a skill-saw and sander, you may like to try your hand at making a set.

What a great piece of simple furniture.  The Tschutschu designed by Dominik Lutz can perform as a bench, stage or table and the stage walls are painted with chalk paint. The base of the stage floor is painted as a railway system, but the ideas are endless depending on what your child is interested in. Because this is way over in Germany and is NZ$416 without shipping, I had thought it would make a great weekend DIY.   It’s made from Birch Plywood and measures: W 94 cm x D 47 x H 47, seat height 31.5 cm, table height 47 cm, height 20 cm.  Go get your tool belt on boys…or girls.

via [Ohdeedoh]

I didn’t come home till 2am thismorning from the childrens hospital as Miss 5.5mths had an allergic reaction to her first taste of solids!  So I picked these two images to uplift and inspire.  The desk makes me want to DIY and the flowers I would love on my table right now.

via [Desire To Inspire] & [Design Sponge]

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

Over at Desire To Inspire, I came across these pics, plus more of some of the most inspiring and colourful interiors.  The man behind the lens is Mark Lund, who’s website sends you into major time wasting territory just looking at all the great photos.  He also has a blog with updates of his current work and cool snaps of his beautiful family.  

I totally dig this workstation.  All compact and smooth, modern and tidy.  It would be perfect for Master 4 and 3/4 for his bedroom and one for myself; because I don’t really need an office. Designed by MisoSoup Design, a New York design company, the K Workstation incorporates a near continuous wall mounted surface that provides desk space and overhead shelving. 

via [Crib Candy]

This image above left made me think of Mr Bohaute’s dream office item and even better, what a great idea to put a treadmill under it. You can get a very similar option here called the Rinke Electrical Height Adjustable Desk (see image right) from Rinke Design in Newmarket, Auckland. With the push of a button, it rises up to bench height so you don’t have to sit all day but it doesn’t come with the treadmill.  For the folks in the Northern Hemisphere the option to the left is the Sit-To-Workstation and comes with the treadmill.  Definitely a great desk to keep your body in good health and your mind alert!

Yes, I have an addiction – it is the store Anthropologie, and although we don’t have it down-under, I still swoon over the seasonal ranges online.  They do ship across Europe and North America, but sadly, down here in Oz and NZ we are forgotten once again; which is actually a good thing or I would really give the credit card a beating!  If you aren’t familiar with their store (everything from clothes and shoes to kitchen and bedroom) go take a look and fall in love with….well…..everything!

A friend has a Tablo side table and I love it.  Not only are they large enough to put books, drinks and remote controls on, but you can also pick it up and use it as a serving tray or carry all your drinks/nibbles from kitchen to living room.  I haven’t been able to find out where you can get them here in NZ, but you can buy them online here in Australia, or at their Bondi, Sydney store.  Not that cheap though at AU$180 for the stand and AU$240 for the tray.  If you live in the Northern Hemisphere then Design House Stockholm also sells them.

Now it’s cold enough to need cosy warm towels in the bathroom, I would have loved to be able choose something this groovy when we were renovating.  They are actually radiators but can also be used as towel rails.  The paper-clip is my favourite by the company Scirroco.  The Archibald Towel Radiator that looks like clothes hangers is from Bisque.  And no, you can’t seem to get them here in NZ – blast!

via [Apartment Therapy]

If you have a thing for modern classics, then you may just like a smaller version for your child.  At least the house would all come together without nasty bright plastic furniture!  Little Nest is the Australian store that sells them and you can purchase online.  They will be shipping internationally shortly, so keep checking back or send them an email.

After hunting around for a little side table for the nursery, I came across these cool stools/tables!  The Zaishu comes flat packed and takes only one minute to assemble, is hand printed with cool artwork by international artists and is made from sustainable Australian native plantation pine.  My favourite is the Antique Kimono which features rare patterns from the 16th century Edo period in Japan. Made in Australia you can buy them online and they ship worldwide or google them and you’ll find a few stores that sell them.  At AUD$350 I am finding it hard to justify right now – (with all the other baby stuff that’s far more a necessity than a pretty side table) – but I am just going to keep saving as it’s already got a spot waiting!